consist

1 of 2

verb

con·​sist kən-ˈsist 

consisted; consisting; consists

intransitive verb

1

: lie, reside

—usually used with in

Liberty consists in the absence of obstructions …

—A. E. Housman

"In her consists my happiness … "

—William Shakespeare

2

archaic

a

: exist, be

b

: to be capable of existing

3

: to be composed or made up

—usually used with of

Breakfast consisted of cereal, milk, and fruit.

The team consists of five players.

4

: to be consistent

it consists with the facts

consist

2 of 2

noun

con·​sist ˈkän-ˌsist 

: makeup or composition (as of coal sizes or a railroad train) by classes, types, or grades and arrangement

Synonyms of consist

Verb

• correspond
• coincide
• conform

Examples of consist in a Sentence

Verb

that account consists with the information in the other reports

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Big day for Gasper Monday’s lineup consisted largely of players who are likely to start the season in the minor leagues, but even with that being the case, Mickey Gasper made a strong impression. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026

As a result of the workforce reduction, the company expects to incur charges of approximately $450 million to $500 million, consisting primarily of severance payments, employee benefits and noncash expenses related to share vesting, according to a securities filing. —Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026

One scene seems to consist only of people interrupting one other’s thoughts, skipping from talking about their family’s inherent body odor to White’s sister’s desire to get a group photo with their dad banging a gong to signify his recovery. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 25 Feb. 2026

In most of the country, Clean Monday celebrations are rather more sedate, consisting mainly of flying kites and consuming copious amounts of shellfish and other seafood. —ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French consister "to lie, reside (in), stay permanently, comprise," borrowed from Latin consistere "to stop moving, come to a halt, remain at the same level, take up a position, reside, be composed (of), be established (in a given state), come into existence," from con- con- + sistere "to cause to stand, assume a standing position, place, check, halt" — more at assist entry 1

Noun

derivative of consist entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing consist

• consist in
• consist of

Rhymes for consist

• assist
• blacklist
• booklist
• checklist
• desist
• dismissed
• enlist
• exist
• insist
• oocyst
• persist
• resist

Kids Definition

consist

verb

con·​sist

kən-ˈsist

: to be made up or composed

breakfast consisted of cereal, milk, and fruit

coal consists mostly of carbon